2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl

By: Daniel Pinchbeck

Narrated by: Paradox Pollack

2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl is the acclaimed metaphysical epic that binds together the cosmological phenomena of our time, ranging from crop circles to quantum theory to the resurgence of psychedelic drugs, to support the contention of the Mayan calendar that the year 2012 portends a global shift—in consciousness, culture, and way of living—of unprecedented consequence.

The Classical Maya developed a highly sophisticated civilization in the Yucatan and Guatemala that vanished 1,000 years ago. They were extraordinary architects and astronomers, and developed methods of timekeeping that are far more precise than our Western calendar system. Although we destroyed most of their scrolls, our archaeologists have discovered that the Maya looked toward the year 2012—specifically the date December 21, 2012—as the end of a “Great Cycle” of 5,125 years on their Long Count calendar. According to the Mayan creation myth, the Popol Vuh, such cycles end with the destruction of the old way of life and the inception of a new world. Many scholars agree that the Classic Maya pointed to this time, around the year 2012, as the juncture between one world age and the next.

We are currently in the throes of an ecological crisis, brought about by human activity, which threatens us with disaster if we do not immediately change our ways. Basic resources such as fuel, water, and food are becoming scarce around the world. Many scientists have predicted cataclysm due to climate change and pollution that could lead to the extinction of the human species in a short span of time. On the other hand, we are also experiencing a massive leap in human consciousness. Our world is now meshed together through communications technology and social networks that act as a “global brain.” We can transmit new ideas and transformative practices instantly across the world.

In 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, I proposed that what happens in “2012” depends on what humanity decides to make of it. We might see global famines and wars and increasing misery, or we might decide to institute a new planetary culture based on empathy, alternative economic systems, sustainable design, and an equitable sharing of wealth. According to the prophecies held by the Maya and other indigenous cultures, we may integrate modern scientific knowledge with Eastern spiritual wisdom and indigenous shamanism, leading to a new understanding of the physical and psychic cosmos. Rather than “doomsday,” 2012 could be a time of positive transformation and the opening to a new way of life.

©2006 Daniel Pinchbeck (P)2022 Waterside Productions, Inc.

Very interesting yet a bit convoluted

The author’s voice and style is quite enjoyable but he could’ve organized the various ideas and topics explored in the book better. I’m curious about how he feels about what actually happened in 2012.

The narrator is also very enjoyable to listen to. I noticed when reading quotes by Terence McKenna, he kind of did his signature voice and mannerisms, I think. If this was intentional and I did not just make this up, it was a good touch.

Overly academic and convaluted

On spite of the fact that the book is both outdated and poorly written-somehow you keep reading it waiting for doomsday to be explained. It doesn’t happen. The usual litany of environmental woes mixed into dense, obtuse blathering.

Unexpected favorite

Great writing, and wild collage of content that Pinchpeck weaves together in a really engaging way

Prophecy… a work of Art

This book will bifurcate the audience between people who will think Pinchbeck is crazy, and those who believe he was tuning in. I’m in the later group.

A brave soul on a quest for meaning and purpose

I originally read the first half of this book right after it came out and was fascinated. It was very cerebral and went over my head so I took a break and just never picked it back up again. finally, I was ready to revisit the book from, so here I am. After having the first half distilled through a second read, I really learned a lot more than from my first time through. The book has a great premise, solid investigative real world research, and a massive data dump of many fascinating ideas and mysteries related to consciousness, the soul, reincarnation, plant medicines, and different ancient civilizations beliefs on these matters. Going through the second half of the book was not as easy going for me. It dived deep into the author's personal hallucinogenic experiences and the Mayan belief system, both of which I did not find much interest in, nor did I care for. The whole bit on crop circles was new news to me. I always thought all that was a hoax and I only learned here that there actually is a real open-ended unknown phenomenon associated with that going back to pre-modern times. I thoroughly enjoyed the bit on the swami that argues that consciousness is fundamental, rather than matter. This exposition predates Donald Hoffman's recent public relations campaign arguing this same point, which has deeply resonated with me over the last year or so. for me, that was the greatest takeaway of this book and I'm very grateful that I got to read it and discovered in it that these ideas are long-standing and have an investigated by both the spiritual and intellectual classes of both Eastern and western society.